Eighteen-day African journey combining river cruise wildlife and luxury lodge safaris across four countries
Four nights aboard Zambezi Queen on Chobe River with daily safaris
Victoria Falls exploration including sunset cruise and vintage steam train experience
Tanzania safari lodges with full-day Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park adventures
Trip Details
Departs
Sun 19 Mar 2028
Returns
Wed 5 Apr 2028
Embarks
Chobe River
Ship
Zambezi Queen
Operator
AMAWaterways
Your journey begins with an overnight stay in Johannesburg (option to start with 3 nights in Cape Town). Next, fly to Kasane, Botswana and board the Zambezi Queen, your wildlife river cruise vessel on the Chobe River for the next 4 nights. Enjoy two nights at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. From here, fly to Johannesburg for two nights at your intimate, all-suite hotel. Depart to Nairobi where a connecting flight brings you to your Tanzania safari. Enjoy two nights at three of the four luxury Tanzanian lodges: Tarangire Treetops, The Manor at Ngorongoro, and the luxury-tented Serengeti Migration Camp or Serengeti Pioneer Camp.
This river cruise journeys through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, calling at Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Chobe River, Chobe River, Chobe River, Chobe River, Victoria Falls and Victoria Falls.
You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship Zambezi Queen.
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Life in transit
Your transportsZambezi Queen
Details · AmaWaterways
Zambezi Queen
Deck plans
3
Zambezi Queen · Deck plans
Lower Deck
Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026.
Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.
Day by day
Itinerary
1
Johannesburg
Sun 19 Mar
ARRIVE IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. After being greeted at the airport by an AmaWaterways Representative, transfer to Fairlawns Hotel.
2
Johannesburg
Mon 20 Mar
ZAMBEZI QUEEN – EMBARKATION. Embark the Zambezi Queen in Kasane. Late this afternoon, enjoy the riverside scenery before your Welcome Cocktail and Dinner on board.
3
Chobe River
Tue 21 Mar
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Embark on an exhilarating morning boat safari. Return to the Zambezi Queen for lunch. Later in the day, enjoy another thrilling boat safari.
4
Chobe River
Wed 22 Mar
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Join a full-day safari of Chobe National Park in open-top 4x4 vehicles. For lunch, take a seat under the trees and savor a delicious picnic.
5
Chobe River
Thu 23 Mar
ZAMBEZI QUEEN. Visit a typical African village spending time with the village children as well as its elders followed by lunch on board. During the afternoon, you can go on a boat safari, bird watch or fish, and then cap the day off with a festive African-themed dinner.
6
Chobe River
Fri 24 Mar
ZAMBEZI QUEEN – DISEMBARKATION – VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE. Enjoy a morning cruise during breakfast and be on the lookout for wildlife. Afterward, transfer to the legendary Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Spend the afternoon exploring the town or experience one of the many activities offered at your hotel. Later this afternoon, join a cocktail reception with appetizers aboard a vintage steam train and make your way to the Victoria Falls Bridge to watch the sunset over the Falls.
7
Victoria Falls
Sat 25 Mar
VICTORIA FALLS. A local guide will take you on a tour of the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. You’ll learn about its history, and the flora and fauna that make this area so unique. In the evening, embark on a private sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. Relax on board as you observe a variety of game while enjoying a delicious mix of tapas with drinks, followed by a special dinner with live local entertainment at the hotel.
8
Victoria Falls
Sun 26 Mar
VICTORIA FALLS – JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Transfer to the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel with its parklike setting and wonderful Spa.
9
Johannesburg
Mon 27 Mar
JOHANNESBURG. Take a fascinating tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. Walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, visit Mandela’s former home at Sanctuary Mandela, savoring one of Mandela’s favorite meals cooked by his former at-home chef for lunch. In the evening, enjoy a multi-course dinner.
10
Johannesburg
Tue 28 Mar
JOHANNESBURG – KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA – ARUSHA, TANZANIA. Fly to Kilimanjaro where you will be met by an AmaWaterways Representative and transferred to the Arusha Coffee Lodge.
11
Arusha
Wed 29 Mar
ARUSHA – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK. Journey to Tarangire National Park, where you'll go on an adventurous safari before checking into Treetops Lodge.
12
Tarangire
Thu 30 Mar
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA. Experience the wonders of Tarangire with a full day of activities, including a morning bushwalk, an afternoon safari and a sunset drive. This is home to the highest number of breeding bird species in the world along with thousands of elephants, huge herds of buffalo, stately fringe-eared oryx and the towering kudu.
13
Tarangire
Fri 31 Mar
TARANGIRE - NGORONGORO, TANZANIA. Visit a local village before enjoying a game drive through Manyara National Park, home to tree-climbing lions, giraffes, cheetahs, monkeys, impalas and baboons. Be treated to a picnic en route to The Manor at Ngorongoro.
14
Ngorongoro
Sat 1 Apr
NGORONGORO CRATER, TANZANIA. Go on a full-day exploration to the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater. Once a gigantic volcano, it’s the world’s largest intact caldera offering a unique environment virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. The nearly three million years old caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. Deep within the crater, some 25,000 large mammals wander the plains, lakes and forests. A picnic will be served on the crater floor, followed by further exploration before heading back to The Manor.
15
Ngorongoro
Sun 2 Apr
NGORONGORO - SERENGETI, TANZANIA. Fly to the Serengeti and in the afternoon, go on a game drive to see the “Big Five.”
16
Serengeti National Park
Mon 3 Apr
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA. Explore the vast Serengeti via an open safari cruiser during the morning and after lunch. It is not possible to say with any accuracy where the Great Migration of the Wildebeest will be located at any one time. There are several determining factors; however, one can be assured that if there is a good chance of seeing it, then this can be accomplished from the Pioneer Camp or Migration Camp.
17
Serengeti National Park
Tue 4 Apr
SERENGETI - ARUSHA, TANZANIA. Take your final safari drive in the morning, and then transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Arusha. Lunch will be served in the gardens of the lodge before your final transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or extend your journey with four nights in magical Rwanda. Note: Please do not schedule your onward flight until after 6:00 p.m.
What you get for the price
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Hotel Welcome Reception.
Free Day in Johannesburg.
Afternoon Cruise.
Transfer from Johannesburg to the ship.
Evening Welcome Reception.
Morning Chobe River Safari.
Where you’ll stay
Accommodation
Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship Zambezi Queen.
Stateroom categories available
Luxury Suite
Category SA
Category SB
Golden Trails of Africa stateroom
From the operator
Common questions about this voyage
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 18 days and 17 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 05 Mar 2028 and 13 Dec 2028, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Ready to lock in?
Book this cruise
Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.
